The 16th annual Muskadel SA Awards function, sponsored by Enartis SA, was held at Noop, Paarl on 24 May. Amongst 31 entries, seven more than in 2017, Bon Courage Wine Estate in Robertson scooped up two platinum awards, making them the top performer at this year’s competition.

Bon CourageRed Muscadel 2017

The Bon Courage Red Muscadel 2017 and Bon Courage White Muscadel 2017 both received this highest honour. An established laureate in the past, Bon Courage is no stranger when it comes to fortified wine excellence; however, when we asked Bon Courage winemaker Philip Viljoen what made the 2017 vintage extra special he said: “I once heard that getting good grapes makes it hard to make a low quality wine, in this case it’s the absolute truth.

Good grapes, older generations’ valuable knowledge, combined with modern research applied on a daily basis, is currently the key to success at Bon Courage. “

Du Toitskloof Wine Cellar Red Muscadel

Du Toitskloof Wine Cellar in the Breede River Valley has been a constant performer over the past three years at the Muskadel SA Awards and this year was no exception with their Du Toitskloof Red Muscadel 2015 winning well deserved platinum. This 100% Muscat de Frontignan with a plain, yet striking label and excellent aging potential is a definite must for the cold winter nights ahead.

Du Toitskloof Winemaker – Shawn Thomson

With an impressive assortment of past and present awards in their trophy case, winemaker Shawn Thomson believes that their secret to success is the single vineyard Muscat de Frontignan from Peet Smith’s farm, Dagbreek. “Low yield, high concentration, top quality grapes combined with passion and patience in the cellar is the key word. Good team = great wine,”says Thomson.

Conradie Family VineyardsMuskadel Limited Release 2009

From the Nuy Valley near Worcester, Conradie Family Vineyards Muskadel Limited Release 2009 also won platinum. This nine-year-old wine is once again testament to the amazing aging potential of Muscadel wines. This full, sweet dessert wine was aged in small oak barrels for 5 years.

Badsberg Wine Cellar near Rawsonville in the Breede River Valley won gold for their Badsberg Perlé Moscato 2018 – proving that young wines can perform just a well as their older counterparts.

The Nels of Boplaas

Boplaas from Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo rounds up the top performers with gold for the fourth consecutive year, this time for their Boplaas Heritage Collection Terroir Selection Muscadel 2013.

From the Muskadel SA office“Muskadel wines prefer dry and warm weather, but also sufficient water to irrigate the vineyard effectively. The ongoing drought of the past few years has resulted in high sugar content and rich raisin aromas in the grapes – this led to beautiful, full wines with exceptional muscat flavours, “said Muscadel SA chairman Henri Swiegers.

SponsorsEnartis SA has sponsored the Muskadel SA Association for the last 11 years. “Enartis’s involvement in organizations such as the Muscadel Association is one of many ways of giving back to the industry we have been in for 15 years,” said Jaco Cockrell, sales manager at Enartis SA. ‘The members of the organization are at the heart of our customer base so it’s an absolute pleasure to be involved. We believe that the fortified wines in South Africa are some of the best in the world and do not always receive the recognition they deserve. We trust it will go from strength to strength.”

For more information contact Henri Swiegers at 082 829 6010
or email him at henri@badsberg.co.za

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As a young aspiring chef, Michael laid a solid foundation for his career at the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in London. Over the next 30 years he had a series of high profile hospitality management posts, was the Public Relations Manager for Boschendal and ran three successful restaurants in the Cape, one of which, Parks, featured in the national top 10 restaurants.

Michael is a family man, author and broadcaster.

A lifetime devoted to the promotion and appreciation of the South African wine and food industry has earned him many accolades, including the Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 Eat Out Awards.

Michael continues to be prolific, informative and entertaining on his wine and food website, michaelolivier.co.za